All great, big, relevant questions, for sure, Gimmegreen. I always think of sustainability (or anything else, for that matter) as rings on the water. Everything we do causes a definite ripple effect. But I'm afraid that as long as the sheer number of humans and their many actions on this earth so dramatically skews the fragile balance that true sustainability requires, no effort is ever going to be perfectly sustainable. I once worked on a Living Building Challenge, which has very strict rules about what is permissible. It was hugely challenging, and although everyone did the best they could, and in the end it was as good as we could get it, it still wasn't perfect. A humbling experience indeed. I think we just all have to highlight and cherish those that are trying, and realize that we can always do better. And most importantly - don't ever stop asking the difficult questions! :)

I am extremely surprised to learn the price of Australian sandalwood is more than the Mysore. That's hard to believe considering the price some charge for the oil. Maybe it's due to the availability. I prefer Australian myself. I have some oil from the nineties and it's Mysore but u think its inferior to Australian of today.

Thanks for the great series, Jordan. Interesting to read that the current price for the oil is above that for Indian Mysore oil. I read elsewhere a while ago that the end price is expected to drop when harvesting and production reaches its full potential to around $2700/kg (at around 3.7% yield) - which is still pricey!

I have a degree in Chemistry and Supply Chain Management so this series of articles was especially interesting to me. I would very much appreciate similar series on other essential oils. Thanks very much for the insight and history lesson.

I am extremely surprised to learn the price of Australian sandalwood is more than the Mysore. That's hard to believe considering the price some charge for the oil. Maybe it's due to the availability. I prefer Australian myself. I have some oil from the nineties and it's Mysore but u think its inferior to Australian of today.

Interesting Cason.Only your nose knows what it likes! Into the draw you go.

I have a degree in Chemistry and Supply Chain Management so this series of articles was especially interesting to me. I would very much appreciate similar series on other essential oils. Thanks very much for the insight and history lesson.

TXAggie, thank you for your comment. I learnt a lot myself in the research process for this series. Mentioning Supply Chain and History will place you in the drawl Just! With those qualifications I hope you have a rewarding and fascinating job.

Thanks for the great series, Jordan. Interesting to read that the current price for the oil is above that for Indian Mysore oil. I read elsewhere a while ago that the end price is expected to drop when harvesting and production reaches its full potential to around $2700/kg (at around 3.7% yield) - which is still pricey!

Hello Mark. Yes the market could very well do that or not! You have now been placed into the draw for a valuable and an historic oil.

The smell of sandalwood is something I don't know if I've truly experienced, so the "what it smells like" section was particularly interesting to me since I see the different areas it's harvested gives off a different smell. So cool! I would love to have a little bottle of this to experience a true sandalwood experience and relate it to fragrances I have smelled.

I also would love to dabble in fragrance-creation so this would definitely put me over the edge for that. :)

I had no idea at all that this industry had been in the planning to this extent in Australia since the '90's. It's very amazing when I think of the time, money, and foresight needed to accomplish this. I'm particularly impressed with the way the distillation process uses waste wood from the local timber industry and recycled water.

It brings me joy that there continues to be such a demand for pure, natural santalum album oil and wood and that its value is still so strongly recognized. I like to imagine that if I were in Purna's place, I would make the same wise investment he did!

I'd like to be considered for the draw. Very curious about this oil as I am a sandalwood buff. What I learned that surprised me was the relatively low rate of cost increase per year (in the teens). My experience is that the price has been increasing faster. Maybe this is just retail in my region. I am excited about this project and very curious to smell how young oils like these compare to stuff distilled from older trees. Thanks!

Fascinating to read the description of how the Australian oil smelled and the possible impact of the Australian terroir on the product. It would be interesting to blind test this to make sure it wasn't due to some kind of expectation bias from knowing what is being sniffed.
Hopefully it wasn't due to contamination from eucalypts in some way (e.g. small quantities of eucalyptus leaves getting into the harvest is thought to be responsible for a slightly minty quality in some Australian red wines).

Thank you for a concise and informative history of the Sandalwood industry; especially pleased to read Australia's Santalum Album has been well received. I was surprised to find out the extent to which the plant was harvested (roots included!) and find comfort that forestry sustainability is being employed.
Happy New Year to all!

I was amused by the testers who could smell Australia in the new source of oil. I learned, to my surprise, that the oil improves with time.
Very interesting series of articles, and thank you for the Giveaway.

I was amused by the testers who could smell Australia in the new source of oil. I learned, to my surprise, that the oil improves with time.
Very interesting series of articles, and thank you for the Giveaway.

Ah, yes. Oud and Musk grains do the same like vintage wine. Popping you in the hat now Kinglsat.

Thank you for a concise and informative history of the Sandalwood industry; especially pleased to read Australia's Santalum Album has been well received. I was surprised to find out the extent to which the plant was harvested (roots included!) and find comfort that forestry sustainability is being employed.
Happy New Year to all!

A Happy New Year upon You DL Johnson. I hope you find comfort with this oil. We will know soon as I have your good name in the hat for the draw.

Fascinating to read the description of how the Australian oil smelled and the possible impact of the Australian terroir on the product. It would be interesting to blind test this to make sure it wasn't due to some kind of expectation bias from knowing what is being sniffed.
Hopefully it wasn't due to contamination from eucalypts in some way (e.g. small quantities of eucalyptus leaves getting into the harvest is thought to be responsible for a slightly minty quality in some Australian red wines).

Those eucalyptus were planted in Issan in North East Thailand and drained the water table before anyone knew what was happening. They have cut them down now; a beautiful tree but only in its native habitat. All the best to you for conducting your own blind test. You are in the draw Darjeeling.

I'd like to be considered for the draw. Very curious about this oil as I am a sandalwood buff. What I learned that surprised me was the relatively low rate of cost increase per year (in the teens). My experience is that the price has been increasing faster. Maybe this is just retail in my region. I am excited about this project and very curious to smell how young oils like these compare to stuff distilled from older trees. Thanks!

Nothing to consider; in the hat you go Fungusamongus. I hope that you can compare this young oil to vintage ones.

I had no idea at all that this industry had been in the planning to this extent in Australia since the '90's. It's very amazing when I think of the time, money, and foresight needed to accomplish this. I'm particularly impressed with the way the distillation process uses waste wood from the local timber industry and recycled water.

It brings me joy that there continues to be such a demand for pure, natural santalum album oil and wood and that its value is still so strongly recognized. I like to imagine that if I were in Purna's place, I would make the same wise investment he did!

I wish TFS all the best in their endeavors!

Aha, a Purna avatar called Arlecchino in this the 21st century. Thank you for your fascination. It was fascinating to research and write up for you. Your good name is in the draw.

I've been "watching" the Aussie Sandalwood industry grow, wading through the earlier versions of Sandalwood that had the note I don't like, I call it an "Oily parakeet cage" note.

While on the exhibition floor last year in Long Beach California for the Cosmetics Chemists suppliers Day, I happened upon an Aussie Sandlewood distiller who said he'd worked at Mt. Romance, been in charge of something, and he knew exactly what note I was talking about, and he called it a "Cat's Piss" note. He promised me some samples of his new and improved Aussie Sandalwood, But I have yet to hear from him...

I use the Aussie Sandalwood in some of my perfumes, where I can mask that oily parakeet cage note aspect.

I know that I'm spoiled, but after being in Mysore in the late '80's, and enjoying the old mysore grades, and now I've acquired some 1930 Mysore sandalwood oil, I still have to give a nod to old mysore sandalwood. But I am waiting very patiently for the rise of the Aussie Star of Sandalwoods... :-) Hoping it improves every year...

I've been "watching" the Aussie Sandalwood industry grow, wading through the earlier versions of Sandalwood that had the note I don't like, I call it an "Oily parakeet cage" note.

While on the exhibition floor last year in Long Beach California for the Cosmetics Chemists suppliers Day, I happened upon an Aussie Sandlewood distiller who said he'd worked at Mt. Romance, been in charge of something, and he knew exactly what note I was talking about, and he called it a "Cat's Piss" note. He promised me some samples of his new and improved Aussie Sandalwood, But I have yet to hear from him...

I use the Aussie Sandalwood in some of my perfumes, where I can mask that oily parakeet cage note aspect.

I know that I'm spoiled, but after being in Mysore in the late '80's, and enjoying the old mysore grades, and now I've acquired some 1930 Mysore sandalwood oil, I still have to give a nod to old mysore sandalwood. But I am waiting very patiently for the rise of the Aussie Star of Sandalwoods... :-) Hoping it improves every year...

PK

That is a great note description Pkiler. I have a smelt it too and called it a urinous note. This is not always a bad thing in perfumery which as you state can be masked. Sometimes it is a fleeting note. Very cool to have some vintage. I hope you can enjoy comparing your treasures to the new oil. No draw for you but the contact details are at the end of the post if that interests you. And a Happy New Year to you and your perfumes.